Sealing ring for rotary kilns



Feb. 15, 1949. MERTZ 2,461,754

SEALING RING FOR ROTARY KILN S Filed Oct. 29, 1946 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Qrwe/wtov ertz fiedAM Feb. 15, 1949. F. A. MERTZ SEALING RING FOR ROTARYKILNS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001;. 29, 1946 M M M 56 FfeJA.Me1-tzPatented Feb. 15, 1949 UNITED I STAT SEALING RING FOR ROTARY KILNS FredA. .Merta, Allentown, Pa.,. assignor to Traylor Engineering &Manufacturing Company, Allen'- town,'Pa., a corporation otDelawareApplication October 29, 1946, Serial No. #06339 7 18 Claims. (Cl. 285-The, present invention relates to rotary kilns of theityperused in, themanufacture of Portland cement andv the .like. More .particularly, the,invention is concerned with improvements in the sealing means betweenthe end of i a rotary kiln and .the normally. stationary firing hood,:positioned adjacent thereto.

In thepast, various. types of seals have been providedbetween .the'.ends ofrotary kilns and the adjacent firing hoods, =but numerousdifii-- culties and disadvantageshaw been encountered in their-use Oneofthemost generallyusedconstructions consists of a pair of flanged: ringscarried by the kiln and hoodrespectively, making a: substantiallyrunning v contact orspaced apart apredetermined distance, for theadmission of currents of atmospheric air, tending to maintain the end ofthe kiln shell at-reasonably cool temperatures, to prevent-overheatingand burning out ot-the same. ln such constructions however, it has beennecessary to advance andretract the firing hood with respect totherotary kiln, to

compensate for axial expansion and contraction of the latter under theinfluence of temperature changes. Even though; the firing hood bemounted on track supported wheels, the adjustment of the hood and itsassociated parts is a laborious and troublesome operation. Moreover,dimculty is encountered in maintaining the space between the-fixed andmetatable rings constant during the operation of the apparatus,andnicety of adjustment inthis connection has been-difficult orimpossible to accomplish.

.One of the-primary objects of the present in vention is to c overcomethe difficulties encountered in the use ofprior art sealsbetween theends ofrotary kilns and the adjacent stationary firing'hood.

A- furtherobjectis-toprovide a construction in which the hood-need notbe moved to compensateforexpansion and contraction oi.- the kiln, butinwhichthekiln is free to move axially, under the influence oftemperature changes,- relative to thefiringhood. T

A further'object of the invention-is to provide adjustable means for;accuratelydetermining the space between the fixed and movable parts of aseal for the end of a rotary kiln and associated firing hood A furtherobject is to provide a constnr pn enh e i e se eiv eeihei i t rr.an;rieta ara isiwill n t withe ing reratiq QUE? appar tu c e e t f raes encontrad ct H59 F le; j eeli h $1.

temperature changes.

' Another objctof the invention is toprovide contraction of thekiln,resulting from tempera- 2 a seal of the type described i-n-which theparts areconstantly maintained in the desired, closely fittingrelationby theinfiuence of gravity, Working on one part and tending to move thesame toward the other.

A further objectis to provide long lasting, efficient,anti-frictionconnections between the fixed and movable parts, therebyreducing wear and other adversefactors.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved sealingring,loosely encircling the kiln at .the discharge end, so connected theretothat the ring isjcaused to rotate with the kiln but isfree to have,relativeaxial movement with respect thereto.

,Another object is to providea seal, comprising fixed and rotatablerings so arranged that theend of the kiln is capable of axial movementthrough vtherings, .upon axial expansion and turezchanges.

Other and further objects and advantages of scale, taken substantiallyon the line 2-2 of Figure 1.. a

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the seal shown inelevation in Figure 1, looking in substantially the opposite. direction.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top view of the construction shown in Figure3, and

Figure 5 is a detailtaken substantially on line 55 of Figure}.

As is well understood in the art a rotary kiln, having a cylindricalmetallic shell [0 and a thrust ring H may be supported for rotation onan inclined axis by suitablesupporting rollers l2 and thrust rollers i3.Such kilns are usually lined with refractorymaterial l5,such asbrickwork, and deliver the material during the calcining from the lower,discharge end H. The latter end of the kiln is enclosed. by a firinghood 20,

also constructed of refractory material and of the kiln maintains asub-atmospheric pressure in the kiln and firing hood, all as is wellunderstood in the art.

Means must be provided to prevent the uncontrolled inflow of coolatmospheric air into the space between the stationary firing hood andthe lower end of the rotatable kiln. In the past, rings orcircumferential flanges fixed to the hood and kiln respectively havebeen employed, but such constructions make it necessary to adjust theposition of the firing hood quite nicely with respect to the end of thekiln, a difficult operation, in view of the fact that long kilns,ranging up to 300 feet in length, expand and contract as much as threeto six inches in length. x i

In accordance with the present invention, th lower end of the kiln isprovided with a cylindrical metal shell and nose piece 25, made of aplurality of sections and secured in place by any suitable means. Aroundthe shell 25, there is loosely fitted a ring 26, consisting of acylindrical inner portion 21 anda radially outwardly projecting flange28, connected together by ap propriate integral webs 29. As indicated inFigure 2, the ring is preferably made in two semicircular, cast iron orsteel sections, secured together by bolts and nuts 3E1, eXtendingthrough the jointing webs 3!, 32, thereof.

The forward face 34 of the flange 23 is preferably circumferentialystepped back, as at 35, for the reception of an annular plate 35, heldin place by countersunk screws 31 and nuts 38 projecting rearwardlythrough the flange.

The rear face of the flange 28 has formed integrally therewith aplurality of pairs of blocks 40, 4|, having arcuate seats 42 formedtherein, for purposes hereinafter explained.

The flange 28, in the spaces between the blocks 4i] and ll is providedwith circumferentially elongated apertures or slots 43, and the ring 36is provided'with similar slots M, registering therewith.

Ro lers 45 having central bearings M are journalled upon the centralportions of stub shafts 41, having reduced, eccentric end portions 28,49 seated upon the arcuate seats 42 formed in the blocks 40, 4| andheld'in place, against inadvertent rotation by caps 50, adapted to bepulled down tightly by bolts 52, threaded into appropriate bores formedin the blocks ill, 5!. The radially outer ends 53, of the stub shaftsare squared, or otherwise shaped for the reception of a wrench, forangular adjustment of the shafts when the bolts 5|, 52 are loosenedslightly. Conventional lubricant fittings E i may be screwed into theends of internal passages (not shown) in the shafts, to deliver greaseto the bearing surfaces of the rollers 45, in the well known manner.

As noted above the ring 26 loosely encircles the lower dis-charge end ofthe kiln, so that there is no binding between the parts upon expansionand contraction, due to changes in temperature and the like, and so thatthe ring may move longitudinally with respect to the kiln. This loosefit is indicated, diagrammatical y by the space 26, Figure 3. Means forassuring that the ring rotates with the kiln are provided, in the formof a chain 55 connected at one end to a clip 56, welded to the shell 25and at the other to an eye bolt 57, threaded into an appropriate .bore58 in the cylindrical lower flange 2'3 of the ring 26. Hence, as thekiln rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2, the ring iscaused to rotate therewith by the chain 55, but relative axial 4movement between the ring and the kiln is permitted, by reason of theflexilibity of the chain.

The casing 60 of the hood 20 carries a ring plate 65, secured in placeby countersunk bolts at, extending through the casing and held in placeby nuts 63 or the like. The ring fil is of substantially the samediameter as and registers with the ring 35, but is non-ro'tatablycarried by the firing hood.

By adjusting the angular positions of the stub shafts 41, in their seats42, the rollers 45 may be projected through the slots 43 and :34, moreor less, to extend beyond the front face 65 of the ring 36, to thedesired extent, and to make rolling contact with the adjacent face 65 ofthe stationary ring El carried by the firing hood. Hence, the space 6'!between the ring 36 and the ring 6! may be nicely adjusted, for theadmission of controlled amounts of atmospheric air, into the firinghood, around the end of the rotary kiln, thus imparting just the desiredcooling effect, without the introduction of large, uncontrolled amountsof cold air. Of course, this space Bl between the stationary androtatable rings may be changed from time to time, by simply changing theangular adjustment of the stub shafts 36.

Due to the angle of inclination of the kiln as a whole and the looseconnection between the ring assembly 26 and the kiln shell or nose piece25, the ring tends to move downwardly toward the dis-charge end, underthe influence of gravity, out the movement is resisted by the rollingcontact between the rollers 45 and the stationary ring 6i carried by thehood. However, the end i alents are intended to be included.

I claim:

1. A sealing connectionfor the discharge end of an elongated cylindricalrotary kiln of the type normally subjected to longitudinal expansion andcontraction under the influence of temperature changes, and an adjacentnormally stationary firing hood, said connection comprising an outwardlyprojecting ring encircling the kiln adjacent said end thereof, a similarring carried by the hood, encircling the kiln and having a surfacefacing the first ring, one of said rings being movable axially withrespect to the kiln to compensate for expansion and contraction thereof,and the other ring being relatively fixed, and a plurality of rollerscarried by one of the rings, making rolling contact with the other, saidrollers being journalled on axes disposed radially with respect to thekiln and being adjustable relative to the first ring to vary theclearance between the two.

2. A sealing connection for the discharge end of a rotary cylindricalkiln and an adjacent, normally stationary firing hood, comprising a pairof rings encircling said end of the kiln, one carried by the kiln forrotation therewith and the other carried by the hood, and a plurality ofrollers carried by one ring, journalled on axes disposed radially withrespfictto the kilnand having anti-friction, rolling contaet:with theadjacent surface of the other ring.

3 A sealing connection for the dischargeend of "a rotary cylindricalkilnand an adjacent, normany-stationary firing hood, comprising a pairof rings encircling said end of the kiln, one car ried by the kiln forrotation therewith and for limited axial movement with respect thereto,-and the other carried by the hood in closelyxspaced relation to thefirstringandja plurality of "rollers carried by the first ring,journalled on axes disposed radially with respect to the kilnandimakingrolling contact with the adjacentsurface of the second ring.

4. A sealing connection for the .end of a rd tary cylindrical kiln andan adjacent normally stationary firing hood, comprising aring looselyencircling the discharge end portiona'of Tthez'kiln,

rotatable therewith andcapable of limited relative axial movementthereon, another ringfacing thefirst ring, carried by the hood;and'antifriction'means carried by one of said rings making rollingcontact with the other.

5. A connection for the lower dischargeend of an inclined, rotary,cylindrical kiln and an adjacent normally stationaryfiri'ng hood,comprising a ring loosely encircling said endiof the kiln for limitedaxial movement with respect thereto,

flexible connecting means between the ringand kiln, causing the ringtorotate with thekiln', and a second, ringcarried'by the hood encirclingsaid end of the kilnand positioned injuxtapo'sed relation to the firstring, whereby 'the'fi'rstring', under theinfiuence ofgravity'tends'toimove toward the second as the-kiln rotates, expansionand contraction of the kiln 'throughsaid rings a said end by gravity asthe kiln rotatesy'a second,

ring carried by' the hood disposed in juxtaposed relation to the firstring, and a plurality of rollers carried by the first "ring 'mak'ing'anti-friction rolling contact with the second.

7. A connection for the lower discharge end of an inclined, rotarycylindrical kiln and an adjacent normally stationary firing hood,comprising a radially outwardly projecting ring loosely encircling thekiln and normally urged toward said end by gravity as thekiln rotates, asecond ring carried by the hood disposed injuxtaposed r'ela-e tionto thefirst ring, and a plurality of rollers journalled on axes disposedradiall with respect to the kiln, carried by the first ring and makingrolling contact with the surface of the second ring.

8. A connection for the lower discharge end of an inclined, rotarycylindrical kiln and an adjacent normally stationary firing hood,comprising a ring encircling the discharge end of the kiln and having acontinuous radially outwardly projecting, slotted flange, a second ringencircling the said end of the kiln carried by the hood having acontinuous surface parallel to and facing said flange, and a pluralityof rollers carried by the first ring having their peripheries projectingthrough the slots in the flange and making rolling contact with thesecond ring.

9. A connection between the discharge end of a rotary cylindrical kilnand an adjacent, normally stationary firing hood, adapted to admitcontrolled amounts of atmospheric air into :the

hood and kiln,'comprising a ring surrounding Isaid end'fof the kiln,mounted for limited axial movement with respect thereto, urged towardsaid end th'er'eofand rotatable therewith, a second ring carriedby thehoodand facing the first ring, and a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced rollers carriedby thefirst ring, journalledon axes disposedradially. with respect to the kiln and engaging the surface of thesecond ring with rolling contact, said rollers serving to space thefirst ring from the second a predetermined distance for the admission ofa predetermined flow of atmospheric air therebetween. I

'10. A connection between the lower discharge end of an inclined rotarycylindrical kiln and an adjacent normally stationary firing hood,adapted to admit controlled amounts of atmospheric air into theihoooland kiln, comprising a ring loosely encircling the kiln, tending to moveaxially towa'rd'said end under the influence of gravityas the kilnrotates, a second ringcarried by the hood, encircling'the kiln in spacedrelation thereto and facing the first ring, and a plurality of circunferentially spaced, axially adjustable rollers carriedby the first ring,making rolling contact with the surface of the second ring and spacingthe rings apart a predetermined distance, depending upon their adjustedpositions, for the admission of a predetermined, variable air flowtherebctween a 11. A connection between the lower discharge endof aninclined rotary cylindrical kiln and an adjacent normally stationaryfirlng'hooiadapted to admit controlled amounts of atmospheric air-intothe hood and kiln, comprising ari-ng loosely encircling the kiln,tending to move axially toward :said .end under the "influence ofgravity as the kiln rotates, a second ring carried by the hood,encircling the kiln in spaced relation thereto and'fa-cing the firstring, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced rollers carried by therear surfaces of the first ring with their peripheries projectingaxially beyond the other face thereof and making rolling contactwii'hthe adjacent face of the second ring and spacing the rings a pre'determined distance apart for the admission of a predetermined flow ofatmospheric air therebetween. V

12. A connection between the lower discharge end of an inclined rotarycylindrioalkiln and an adjacent normally stationary firing hood, adaptedto admit controlled amounts of atmospheric air into the hood and kiln,comprisin a ring loosely encircling the kiln, tending to move axiallytoward said end under the influence'of gravity as the kiln rotates, asecond ring'carried by the hood, encircling the kiln in spaced relationthereto and facing the first ring, and a plurality of circumferentialspaced rollers journalled on shafts adjustably mounted behind the firstring with their peripheries projecting variable distances beyond theother face thereof and making rolling contact with the adjacent face ofthe other ring and spacing the rings apart a predetermined, variabledistance for the admission of predetermined variable currents ofatmospheric air therebetween.

13. A connection between the lower discharge end of an inclined rotarycylindrical kiln and an adjacent normally stationary firing hood,adapted to admit variable, controlled amounts of atmospheric air intothe hood and kiln, comprising a ring loosely encircling said end of thekiln, having a radially outwardly projecting, slotted flange, said ringbeing urged toward said end by gravity as the kiln rotates, a secondring carried by the hood, encircling said end of the kiln and having asurface facing the flange of the first ring and a plurality of rollerscarried by the ring, journalled behind said flange with theirperipheries projecting through the slots therein and beyond the otherface of the flange and making rolling contact with said surface of thesecond ring, said rollers serving to space the first ring from thesecond a predetermined distance for the admission of a predeterminedflow of atmospheric air therebetween.

14. A connection between the lower discharge end of an inclined rotarycylindrical kiln and an adjacent, normally stationary firing hood,adapted to admit variable, controlled amounts of atmospheric air intothe hood and kiln, comprising a ring loosely encircling said end of thekiln, having a radially outwardly projecting, slotted flange, said ringbeing urged toward said end by gravity as the kiln rotates, a secondring carried by the hood, encircling said end of the kiln and having asurface facing the flange of the first ring, and a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced rollers adjustably carried by the first ring,journalled on axes disposed radially with respect to the kiln,projecting through said slots and beyond the surface of the flange andengaging the second ring by rolling contact, the adjustment of saidrollers serving to vary the space between said rings and thereby to varythe amount of atmospheric air flowing into the hood and kiln.

15. A connection between the lower discharge end of an inclined rotarycylindrical kiln and an adjacent normally stationary firing hood,comprising a ring having an inner cylindrical surface loosely encirclingsaid end of the kiln and a radially outwardly projecting flange having aplurality of slots therein, a pair of shaft-holding blocks adjacent eachslot, a shaft having eccentric ends seated upon each pair of blocks,means for clamping said ends upon said blocks against rotation, a rolleron each shaft projecting through the adjacent slot and therebeyond adistance determined by the angular adjustment of the shaft, and a secondring carried by the hood, facing the flange of the first ring,positioned to be engaged by said rollers, whereby the rollers space thefirst ring from the second a predetermined, variable distance, dependingupon the angular adjust- .ment of said shafts.

16. A sealing connection for the lower discharge end of a rotarycylindrical kiln and an adjacent normally stationary firing hood,comprising a ring having a circumferential portion loosely encirclingsaid end and a radially outwardly projecting, circumferentiallycontinuous, slotted flange, a pair of-shaft seats adjacent each slot, astub shaft having eccentric ends mounted in each pair of seats, a rolleron each shaft projecting through the adjacent slot a variable distancedepending upon the angular adjustment of the shafts in said seats, and astationary ring carried by the hood facing the first mentioned ring andaround which the rollers travel by rolling contact.

17. A connection between the lower discharge end of an inclined rotarycylindrical kiln and an adjacent normally stationary firing hood,comprising a ring casting having an inner, circumferential flangeloosely encircling said end of the kiln and an integral radiallyoutwardly projecting, circumierentially continuous, slotted flange, anannular plate secured to the front face of the last mentioned flange,having slots therein registering with the flange slots, a pair of shaftseats adjacent to and behind each flange slot, a stub shaft havingeccentric end-s mounted in each pair of seats, a roller on each shaftprojecting through the adjacent flange and plate slots a variabledistance, depending upon the angular adjustment of the shaft in saidseats, a flexible tension element connecting the inner flange of thering to the kiln, causing the ring to rotate with the kiln, butpermitting relative axial movement therebetween, and a stationary ringcarried by the hood facing the annular plate and around which therollers travel b rolling contact.

18. A sealing connection for the discharge end of a rotary cylindricalkiln and an adjacent, normally stationary firing hood, comprising a ringcarried by the hood encircling said end of the kiln, a second ringloosely encircling the kiln for axial movement with respect thereto,connecting means between the kiln and the second ring for causing thelatter to rotate with the kiln, and a plurality of rollers journalled onaxes disposed radially with respect to the kiln, carried by one of therings and making rolling contact with the adjacent surface of the otherring.

FRED A. MERTZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

